The current status of psychodynamic formulation

In this paper, we examine the current status of psychodynamic formulation in psychiatric training and clinical practice. A survey of residency training directors confirms the presence of a general belief in the central importance of formulation but the absence of a clear definition or systematic guidelines. We review the literature and propose a definition of psychodynamic formulation, distinguishing it from isolated hypothesis or focus, diagnosis, case history and interpretation. We then present a systematic but flexible format for formulation and illustrate it with two case formulations.